DWP set to pay benefits early in December including PIP and Universal Credit

Millions of Brits are being urged to mark their calendars as many are set to receive financial support earlier than usual next month. Certain UK households will be paid benefits, including Universal Credit and PIP, ahead of schedule.

Normally, these types of financial aid are disbursed monthly, but bank holidays such as Christmas Day can alter the timetable. Due to the forthcoming festive season, benefit recipients won't receive their payments on the usual dates over Christmas and New Year, according to The Sun.

Therefore, if your payment is due on a bank holiday, anticipate seeing the money in your bank account sooner than expected. You should receive the funds on the first working day prior to your expected payment date.

For example, if you typically receive your payment on December 25, 26 or 27, you'll be paid on December 24 instead. This is because the last working day before the holidays is Tuesday, December 24.

The New Year bank holiday on January 1 also impacts benefit claimants. If your benefit is due on January 1, you'll be paid on December 31. Again, this is because the last working day before the New Year is Tuesday, December 31.

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that a total of 11 benefits will be affected by the change.

These include:

• Pension Credit
• State Pension
• Income Support
• Carer's Allowance
• Child Benefit (paid by HMRC)
• Universal Credit
• Attendance Allowance
• Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
• Jobseeker's Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Tax Credits (paid by HMRC)

It's crucial to understand that the amount you receive will remain unchanged. Despite potentially receiving payment a few days earlier, it's important to ensure the money lasts until the next month. If you suspect you should have been paid but the funds haven't appeared in your account, it may be worth double-checking the dates.

If the money hasn't been deposited into your account, you should contact the DWP. Their Universal Credit helpline can be reached on 0800 328 5644.

Individuals are also encouraged to be aware of upcoming changes to Universal Credit, which is replacing six benefits under the old welfare system - often referred to as legacy benefits. These include Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, and Housing Benefit.

If you're currently receiving any of these benefits, you have the option to switch over - but this doesn't necessarily mean you'll be better off. It's vital to carefully consider what this transition means for your finances, as once you've moved to Universal Credit, you can't revert back.

To find out which benefits you're eligible for, you can use free online comparison tools like Turn2Us and EntitledTo. If there's a change in your circumstances, such as moving house, altering work hours or having a baby, you might be switched to Universal Credit.

However, it's worth noting that everyone will eventually be transitioned to Universal Credit.